A BOND BEYOND BLOOD

CHAPTER ONE Rain lashed against my skin like a relentless drumbeat, soaking through my thin shirt. I stood outside my small house, eyes fixed on the gray sky, willing the storm to pass. Why did it have to rain today, of all days? I had job interviews to get to, and now I was going to be late. Just as I was about to give up, the rain slowed to a gentle patter, then stopped altogether. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the wet world, my eyes scanning the empty streets. That's when I saw him – a young man, sprinting down the road like his life depended on it. He dodged and weaved, his eyes darting over his shoulder as if he expected something to pounce at any moment. My instincts kicked in, and I quickly ushered him into my house, hoping to shield him from whatever danger was chasing him. I tried to appear nonchalant, but my heart raced as I watched a group of menacing boys emerge from the distance, their sharp matchets and wooden clubs at the ready. Their leader, a burly guy with a cross-shaped scar on his cheek, locked eyes with me, his gaze piercing. "Hey, guy, did you see anyone running in this direction?" he growled, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. I forced a calm tone, trying to sound convincing. "No, I didn't see anyone." The leader's eyes narrowed, his grip on his matchet tightening. "I think this guy is lying to us." I stood my ground, trying to appear confident. "Oh really? You think I'm hiding who you're looking for? That's my house over there; let's go and check it out!" The leader sneered, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Okay, let's check it out."